Shoppers pack stores with five days until Christmas

December 22, 2009 6:29:52 AM PST

December 20, 2009 (CHICAGO) --

With just five days until Christmas, stores were busy with last-minute shoppers Sunday.The Target store on the Chicago's North Side was jammed, and many of the shoppers ABC7 Chicago encountered said they just haven't had time to start working on their holiday gifts lists because they have more than one job and very little down time.

Others said they were staying away from the plastic cards and were paying with good old-fashioned cash.

"That's the best and safest way. No over charges. No, nothing with credit cards. It's better that way," said shopper Jenny Colon.

Retailers say shopping patterns are returning to normal following last year's dramatic drop in sales.

However, the winter storm clobbering the East Coast has had a direct impact on retailers in that part of the country.